"I thought that if I could make bears well enough to sell, it would be a nice lifetime hobby. Not a full-on big business, but something I could put all my crafty skills into.
I studied and read all about bear business etiquette. I started designing my own bears in 2002 and entered my first competitions in 2003."
Both bears entered were sold to a visiting yachtsman from California.
Now Karyn designs three or four patterns a year. Some will be prototypes that are only used two or three times and others will become the pattern for a series of bears made in different colors, fabrics or outfits.
"In the last few years, I have concentrated on completing a limited amount of bears for competition; many of them dressed. I love that I can create these unique characters knowing that if properly cared for, they're going to be around for a long time."
"I have to admit that I'm a perfectionist and there is a lot of trial and error." Karyn creates limited editions or one-of-a-kind creations; doing everything herself with the exception of a few accessories which Roy helped with.
It was in 2004 when she learned about needle felting. Unfortunately there weren't any avenues to acquire the wool. But Karyn didn't let that stop her.
"I went to a car seat cover business and explained what I do. They gave me a few pieces of long haired grey sheepskin off-cuts and I had to promise to show them my little creation when I'd finished it."
After finding felting needles at a craft shop, she cut the grey wool off the hide and created a rather soft little felted bear which she took back to the shop as promised.
"Then I bought an enormous bag of off-cuts with lots of different colors.
The next bear I made had woolly hair and I've continued to use wool and mohair hide to give my bears their woolly locks. I guess if there are looks or techniques that I'm having fun with, it's "woolly hair" and dyeing."
Karyn does a few teddy bear and craft shows but most of her bears are sold through magazine advertising, by word of mouth, at the Teddy Tree Store in Perth and through her web site. She also competes in numerous local and worldwide competitions.
"I love the passion everyone has. It's comforting to realize that it's not just me! I find it very humbling when a collector says, 'you are so talented.'
All I can say is my mind is never idle and I'm never bored."
"Anyone who has made or held a teddy bear will know the feeling you get when you hold that finished bear and look into it's face. It's pure joy." There is really nothing else like it.
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3428 Hillvale Road 
